BUSINESS AGENDA ? SUCCESS_ DANIEL MANDARANO, DEMOLITIONS EXPERT Since establishing his own demolitions and excavations business inmid-1997, Mandarano has brought down more homes, factories and office blocks thana minor hurricane. Originally, he worked with Telstra’s heavy machinery to lay telephony cabling, then parlayed his bobcat excavation skills into a stand-alone business. Laughing off suggestions that this was simply the perfect career path for a destructive child,Mandarano says, “Although some peoplemight view tearing down structures as fun – and the method does have an element of that – in reality, there is a great deal of danger. The damage that can be done by tonnes of falling bricks and concrete is obvious. We also have to be aware of asbestos and lead paint.” Considering the risks, it’s hardly surprising that Adam Dean earns his living from card tricks and jokes – and no, we’re not kidding. those employed in the demolition and excavation industry are well remunerated, with employment website www.mycareer.com.au putting the average salary in this field at $93,999. “I’d say it’smore like $60,000 a year,” says Mandarano, “unless you’re a supervisor ina multinational company.” Managing a staff of five, Mandarano’s time is divided ADAM DEAN, MAGICIAN AND COMEDIAN A casual holiday job at a Sydney restaurant turned into a vocation for Dean when several off-duty magicians stopped by for meals after their shows. After six months of watching themperform without figuring out the sleight of hand, Dean put his own up for a lesson. By the age of 16, he was performing on a semi-professional basis and, immediately after graduating fromuniversity (with a degree in Technology Management) at 21, he began conjuring full-time. Aside fromthe travelling between shows, Dean spends his time rehearsing, perfecting new elements of the show, training assistants and taking care of his small business admin. “In terms of stage time,” he says, “I work anywhere between one and three hours a day. But on top of that, there’s up to six hours of rehearsing, choreography and working on new material each day.” He estimates thatmagicians of his calibre who cater to the corporate world can make anything up to $300,000 a year – but Dean’s source of satisfaction clearly goes beyond dollars. Tailoring each show to the demands of his audience, the 29-year-old says, “I absolutely love what I do. In the beginning it was all about the magic – now, it’s all about the people. I get to meet the richest of rich and the poorest of poor, and magic is the common denominator.” between delegation, machinery maintenance and getting behind the controls of everything fromsmall, manoeuvrable excavators to 30-tonne monsters. But you won’t find him swinging a wrecking ball. “They’re old-fashioned now,” says the 36-year-old. “You don’t see themaroundmuch, asmodern technology does the job better and faster. With a bobcat, you can demolish, then remove the rubble. No wrecking ball can do that.” Who needs Lego? DanielMandarano spends his days knocking down real buildings. FEBRUARYVOYEUR 103 PHOTOGRAPHY :: ANDREW SHAW, HEATH MISSEN.